May 10, 2003
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The season came to an end today for the University of Notre Dame women’s tennis team as the 21st-ranked Irish suffered a 4-0 loss to 15th-ranked Vanderbilt at the Brownlee O. Currey Tennis Center in Nashville, Tenn. Notre Dame finishes with a record of 16-9.
The Irish dropped the doubles point and the bottom three singles matches in the 4-0 decision. In the singles matches that were completed, Sarah Jane Connelly (Oklahoma City, Okla./Bishop McGuinness H.S.) fell at No. 4 to Audra Falk, 6-2, 6-2. At No. 5, Lauren Connelly (Oklahoma City, Okla./Bishop McGuinness H.S.) dropped a 6-3, 6-3 decision to 122nd-ranked Ashley Schellhas. At No. 6, Annie Menees clinched the win for the Commodores defeating freshman Jennifer Smith (Charlotte, N.C./South Mecklenburg H.S.) 6-3, 6-1. In the three matches that were on the court when the match was called, at No 1. 39th-ranked junior Caylan Leslie (Newport Beach, Calif./Corona del Mar H.S.) led 17th-ranked Sarah Riske 7-6 (5), 0-3. At No. 2, 94th-ranked junior Alicia Salas (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek H.S.) trailed 80th-ranked Aleke Tsoubanos who won the first set 6-2, but Salas was ahead 5-3 in the second set when the match was abandoned. At No. 3, Kelly Schmandt led freshman Kristina Stastny (St. Louis, Mo./St. Joseph?s Academy) 7-5, 2-1.
The Irish posted a win at No. 1 doubles as Lauen Connelly and Salas defeated their second ranked opponent in as many days, with an 8-4 win over 3rd-ranked Riske and Tsoubanos. It was the 13th win in 16 matches for Connelly and Salas. However, it was not enough to claim the doubles point as Sarah Jane Connelly and Stastny fell to 37th-ranked Schmandt and Falk 8-5, at No. 2. and Leslie and Smith suffered an 8-5 loss to Kori Scott and Menees at No. 3.
Vanderbilt will advance to the NCAA round of sixteen which begins May 15 in Gainesville, Fla. Meanwhile, Notre Dame will have two players competing in the NCAA Singles Tournament which begins May 19 in Gainesville, 39th-ranked Leslie and 94th-ranked Salas.
— ND —
# 15 Vanderbilt 4, #21 Notre Dame 0
NCAA Second Round
Brownlee O. Currey Tennis Center ? Nashville, Tenn.
Singles
No. 1: #39 Caylan Leslie (ND) led #17 Sarah Riske (VU) 7-6 (5), 0-3, aban.
No. 2: #80 Aleke Tsoubanos (VU) led #94 Alicia Salas (ND) 6-2, 3-5, aban.
No. 3: Kelly Schmandt (VU) led Kristina Stastny (ND) 7-5, 2-1, aban.
No. 4: Audra Falk (VU) def. Sarah Jane Connelly (ND) 6-2, 6-2
No. 5: #122 Ashley Schellhas def. Lauren Connelly (ND) 6-3, 6-3
No. 6: Annie Menees (VU) def. Jen Smith (ND) 6-3, 6-1
Order of finish: 4, 5, 6*
Doubles
No. 1: L. Connelly/Salas (ND) d. #3 Riske/Tsoubanos (VU) 8-4
No. 2: #37 Schmandt/Falk (VU) d. S. Connelly/Stastny (ND) 8-2
No. 3: Menees/Kori Scott (VU) d. Leslie/Smith (ND) 8-5
Order of finish: 2, 1, 3*